Va Va Vroom!
...Classic Automobiles for Classic Women
My wife loves classic cars too! so this page is for the ladies who admire luxurious Dream Cars.
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Dodge La Femme- Never a Car More Distinctively Feminine
In 1955 Dodge introduced the La Femme, the first and only American car marketed exclusively for women. “Never a car more distinctively feminine than La Femme….first fine car created exclusively for women!” exclaimed the brochure. Though short lived, the 1955 -56 La Femme had a unique chapter in automotive history.
Show cars in the 1950’s with a feminine appeal were actually somewhat common with GM leading the charge. The Cadillac Eldorado Seville Baroness, Pontiac Pink Parisienne and the Chevrlet Impala Martinique were some of the cars making the show circuit. In 1954 Chrysler joined the show car trend by introducing his and her cars- La Comtesse and Le Comte. The La Comtesse sported a plastic top and a two-tone exterior of Dusty Rose and Pigeon Gray. The luxurious interior was finished in cream and dusty rose leather. The Le Comte naturally sported masculine colors.
The La Femme was introduced in the Spring of 1955 as a $143.30 trim and accessory option for the $2,543 two door Custom Royal Lancer. The exterior color scheme was Sapphire White and Heather Rose. Gold colored “La Femme” scripts replaced the standard “Custom Royal Lancer” scripts on the front fender.
The interior also came with feminine appointments. A “stunning shoulder bag in soft rose leather” resided in a special compartment behind the drivers seat. Inside the shoulder bag, a compact, lighter, lipstick, coin purse, cigarette case and comb could be found. The upholstery came in a pattern of pink rosebuds woven into a pale silvery-pink background. Interior seat trim was pale pink vinyl. In 1956 the purse accessory was dropped and replaced with designer rain gear consisting of a hat, raincoat and umbrella, protecting “Milady” from the elements.
The La Femme was dropped for the 1957 model year, likely a victim of a fairly high price for the option and a lack of promotion by Chrysler. There is no evidence that there was any advertising campaign used to promote the La Femme.
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1954 Pontiac Strato Streak "Dream Car"
The year 1954 saw Pontiac with two new “Dream Cars” on the show circuit– at least the major circuit–as the 1954 Motorama introduced the public to the Strato Streak . Most striking of all, were the pillarless doors with the rear ones opening in “suicide” fashion. This was a throwback to at least 1940 with sedan rear opening doors, but updated with the now popular hardtop style. The structural support required by the elimination of the center pillar was made up by frame reinforcement. Weight was reduced by using fiberglass for the body, something still pretty new at this time, only recently gaining fame with the Corvette. This new medium sure sped up the body creation process for the design studios who used to have to hammer metal for entire new concept bodies.
This new body stood only 54.5-inches tall and was slightly longer than the new ‘54 Star Chief at 214.3-inches. The outside treatments were rather stark with limited use of chrome and ornamentation, although what there was reflected the ‘50s “rocket ship” era of design with louvers on the side and jet exhaust looking taillight housings. All considered, it was a clean design though that still looks modern today.
1951 Buick Le Sabre
Cadillac / Harry Winston Jeweley Ad
Harry Winston Diamond and Cadillac ads 1950's
Beauty of the Pin Up
The most well known use of pin ups were in the Second World War as they were sent to soldiers to boost morale. The images were placed in magazines, newspapers, calendars and post cards but as they became more famous the images were mass produced and sold as posters and such. Photos of Movie actress Betty Grable were taken in 1943 by Frank Powolny, 5 million copies of this print were distributed to GI’s during WWII.
The pin up girls gave the GI’s of WW2 something to dream about and a reason to come home. The images and movies were well supplied to the GI’s to give them a brief distraction from the war and keep their spirits high.
Before the pin up girl there was the Gibson girls, which was art work made famous by artist Charles Dana Gibson. These images depicted the ideal woman of the time. They were shown to have hourglass figures and were tall with long thin necks accentuated by a bouffant hairdo. The first model for the drawings is thought to be Gibson’s wife. And so the pin up artists of the 40’s and 50 are carried on the tradition with their own brand of Pin up girls.
Many pin-ups were photographs of celebrities who were considered sex symbols. One of the most popular early pin-up girls was Betty Grable. Her poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of G.I.‘s during World War II”
The pin up girls gave the GI’s of WW2 something to dream about and a reason to come home. The images and movies were well supplied to the GI’s to give them a brief distraction from the war and keep their spirits high.
Before the pin up girl there was the Gibson girls, which was art work made famous by artist Charles Dana Gibson. These images depicted the ideal woman of the time. They were shown to have hourglass figures and were tall with long thin necks accentuated by a bouffant hairdo. The first model for the drawings is thought to be Gibson’s wife. And so the pin up artists of the 40’s and 50 are carried on the tradition with their own brand of Pin up girls.
Many pin-ups were photographs of celebrities who were considered sex symbols. One of the most popular early pin-up girls was Betty Grable. Her poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of G.I.‘s during World War II”
Mamie Van Doren Debbie Reynolds
Classic Cars & Movie Stars
Jayne Mansfield Sophia Loren
Rita Hayworth
Marilyn Monroe
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